Aggression and its many forms

In doing a little googling, I was able to discover that human aggression because of intent can be classified in several different ways. Brainconnection.com gives three distinct types of aggression: (1) predatory aggression, which refers to stalking and killing of other species, (2) social aggression, which is unprovoked aggression that is directed an members of the same species for purposes of establishing dominance, and (3) defensive aggression, which refers to attacks delivered when an animal is cornered by a threatening aggressor.

It seems that the aggression Freud speaks of can be classified as social aggression. Freud refers to aggression as "the factor which disturbs our relations with our neighbor and which forces civilization into such a high expenditure of energy. (69) There is a ever-present hostility among all people and this stemming from aggression threatens to disturb our present civilized society. In addition to social aggression, Freud refers to aggression as an "instinctual passion" (69). By referring to instincts, aggression can be classified as defensive aggression as self-defense is a natural instinct of animals.

Freud goes deeper and considered the origin of aggressiveness, as he discussed private property. Distinct from popular belief, Freud asserts, "aggressiveness was not created by property. It reigned almost without limit in primitive times, when property was still very scanty" (71). In fact civilization imposes this aggressiveness. In many instances I have experienced this aggressiveness of civilization. Just think about how aggressive you when you were applying to college and were competing with thousands of other students. Most everyone instinctual probably occured in one manner or another. Similiar to Freud's times, aggressiveness still pervades all throughout society, now there are just rules that control aggressive displays and attempt to increase the burden of civilization among people.